The pupils, we hear, who produce a favourable vote (4)
I believe the answer is:
ayes
'the pupils we hear who' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.
'a favourable vote' is the wordplay.
'favourable vote' becomes 'yes' (I have seen 'Pro vote ' mean 'yes' so perhaps 'vote' could also mean 'yes'. I am not sure about the 'favourable' bit.).
'a'+'yes'='AYES'
'produce' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ayes that I've seen before include "The yes votes at committee meeting" , "Votes of approval during 5 Down" , "The yes-votes at committee meeting" , "Positive votes" , "Voting assents" .)